Sonic Heroes is a video game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, developed by Sonic Team and released in 2003 and 2004 for multiple platforms (consoles Xbox, GameCube, PS2 and the PC). This game differs from other Sonic games by allowing the player to take control of one of four teams, each with three characters, who have abilities unique to them.

The game introduces several new gameplay elements. Unlike most Sonic games, where players control one character, three
characters are available at any time to choose from, as the player may switch the party's leader freely, whilst the other two characters follow. Each character has an individual ability - speed for fast stages, power for breaking objects, or flight for reaching high platforms - and the player must use these abilities to traverse the fourteen stages. Each stage has a different layout for each team, providing different challenges for each story. Each ability is also represented in the interface by color; blue for speed, yellow for flight, and red for power. Each ability also has an element associated with it: Speed uses wind, Fly uses lightning and Power uses fire. These can be used to solve various puzzles, most notably in Team Chaotix's Mystic Mansion stage. Each team also has a Team Blast skill, which can be performed when the Team Blast meter is full. This can be achieved by performing such actions as destroying enemies or collecting rings